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Unknown Viruses And Programs

Hello. I am experiencing computer slowdown as well as frequent AVG popup messages informing me that I have trojan viruses and other errors. I also got a message saying that Brave Sentry was installed, but I have now hopefully removed that using the SmitFraudFix program. To start with, I couldn't even open AVG to scan and was unable to download files. After running the BitDefender online scan, I was able to do these things but I was left with many viruses and the problems reappeared the next time I restarted the computer.

I've run most of the virus scanning software and programs that have been mentioned on this site, and though some viruses have been removed my computer is still very slow. I've ran the HiJackthis program and have created a log of the file which I will post here. I'd really appreciate any help on removing any programs or files that do not need to be run. Thanks for any help.

When the scan completes, click the Automatic cleaning (recommended) button.

Click the Show Report button and Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Also post a new hijackthis log.

If I have helped you in any way, please consider a donation to help me continue the fight against malware.

Failing to respond back to the person that is giving up their own time to help you not only is insensitive and disrespectful, but it guarantees that you will never receive help from me again. Please thank your helpers and there will always be help here when you need it!

I will just add that after running various virus-checking programs and installing ZoneAlarm, my computer does seem to be running better than it used to and there are now no error messages popping up, although I do still get the occasional virus warning from AVG. The startup time is still extremely slow and I get the feeling that there may be far too many running processes in the background or startup programs that are slowing things down. Thanks again for any help.

Please download ComboFix and save it to your desktop.Double click combofix.exe and follow the prompts.When it's done running it will produce a log for you. Please post that log in your next reply.

Important Note - Do not mouseclick combofix's window whilst it's running. That may cause it to stall.

If I have helped you in any way, please consider a donation to help me continue the fight against malware.

Failing to respond back to the person that is giving up their own time to help you not only is insensitive and disrespectful, but it guarantees that you will never receive help from me again. Please thank your helpers and there will always be help here when you need it!

Reboot and post a new hijackthis log.Are you still getting warnings from AVG?

If I have helped you in any way, please consider a donation to help me continue the fight against malware.

Failing to respond back to the person that is giving up their own time to help you not only is insensitive and disrespectful, but it guarantees that you will never receive help from me again. Please thank your helpers and there will always be help here when you need it!

Just to add that there are now no more warnings from AVG and I can actually run the program without it closing down after a few seconds. The BraveSentry program has thankfully been removed as well.

My computer is still taking a considerable time to load after Windows first appears, making me think that there could be some unnecessary or even potentially dangerous programs running in the background. Is there anything on the startup list shown in the HijackThis file that I could do without?

I don't see anything malicious, but you've got a few unnecessary programs running at startup that might be slowing you down a bit.

Run Hijackthis again, click scan, and Put a checkmark next to each of the lines listed below. Then close all other windows--you should only see HijackThis on your Desktop--and click the Fix Checked button.

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and reenable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point left over from what we have just cleaned.

You can find instructions on how to enable and reenable system restore here:

Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

If I have helped you in any way, please consider a donation to help me continue the fight against malware.

Failing to respond back to the person that is giving up their own time to help you not only is insensitive and disrespectful, but it guarantees that you will never receive help from me again. Please thank your helpers and there will always be help here when you need it!

Reducing the unneccessary startup programs has definitely made an improvement on the speed. I've followed the remaining instructions as well (Spybot, AdAware, etc.), and have installed the ZoneAlarm firewall.
Thanks a lot for your help!

Now that your problem appears to be resolved, this thread will be closed. If you need this topic reopened, please contact a member of the HJT Team and we will reopen it for you. Include the address of this thread in your request.

If I have helped you in any way, please consider a donation to help me continue the fight against malware.

Failing to respond back to the person that is giving up their own time to help you not only is insensitive and disrespectful, but it guarantees that you will never receive help from me again. Please thank your helpers and there will always be help here when you need it!